FOXBORO — One thing was clear at the end of two and half hours of testimony from the approximately 200 residents of Foxboro who showed up to debate whether to keep the Native American Warriors logo for the schools sports teams.
At least two-thirds of the crowd was in favor of doing so.
The session was held at the Ahern Middle School auditorium and by a reporter’s count 35 of the speakers were in favor and 12 were not.
Many called for the whole town to vote on the controversy at a town meeting.
There were 88 people that signed up to speak, but only 47 did.
The cheers from the audience were much different.
Those in favor of keeping the logo were loud and raucous.
For those not in favor the cheers were softer.
Most of the football team was there and they were to a man in favor of keeping the Warrior logo and they cheered the loudest.
Those opposed to keeping the logo called it “racist.”
One of those was Christine Scafidi.
“I think it’s time to change the warrior symbol to something else,” she told the school board, which was sitting on the stage.
“I want my children to see the town stand up and do the right thing,” she said. “Tribes are asking for a change. We have to move away from the images of the past.”
“When did this (the logo) become problematic,” she asked. “It was always problematic. It was an unfortunate characterization of the Native Americans. This logo is a source of oppression for them.”
Mary Malloy said the logo “dehumanized” the Native Americans.
“Retire it and move on,” she said.
Two native American women in the audience disagreed.
They described the logo as one of which to take pride in.
It symbolized the strength of the Native Americans, they said.
Both were born and raised in Foxboro.
One said it was a powerful symbol of the tribe of which she was proud.
The other said it was “symbol of pride that brought the town together.”
Mark McGuire said taking away the logo would “take away part of who we are.”
Others pointed out that 80% to 90% of Native Americans nationwide had no problem with their race being used as a symbol of strength.
Jamie Kelley said it’s impossible to please everyone, but the logo should be seen as a positive symbol.
“It’s a symbol of strength, power and courage,” she said.
